Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine February 2018 Vol 3 Issue 1

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

add supplements along the way. Feed rations can change on a weekly basis for each pig depending on what the pig needs to make them look their best. When you are ready to start looking for your project pick out breeders and sales you want to visit. I would say find yourself a breeder that you have built a relationship with. Typically they will tell you about their genetics and show you the sows behind the babies. When we start picking out pigs, we determine what our target show is. Ideally the pig should be six months old around the time of the show. Once you start looking for your pigs this spring, build them from the ground up. What I mean by this is make sure that they are square at the ground and that the base width matches the topside of their skeleton. Additionally, make sure they have some muscle shape, however not too extreme. When looking from the side profile, you want to ensure that they are balanced. Finally, make sure the pig is structurally sound. Keep in mind If they are not sound as babies they will not be sound at market weight. Once you get your pig home begin interacting with the pig. Start walking your pig and brushing their hair coat. When

you are in the championship drive a good skin and hair coat can make or break you in class. You can buy swine conditioner from your local show supply company. When you start walking your pig, start at about 15 minutes a day working your way up to an hour a day. When you are walking your pig, imagine you are in the show ring the moment you open the gate. A week from show day, start clipping the hogs. Before you start clipping see if the show you are attending has any rules for the length of hair. You will also want to start making a check list of supplies you will need at the show. Many items you will want to take with you are as follows:

operate Castle Farms. We run a 17 head sow and small boar stud operation. We sell semen and show pigs across the United States. We raise Yorkshire, Spots, Crosses, and we have just started raising Durocs for Bristol. We sell off

the farm private treaty and a few select sales.

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Feed

Clip on feeders

Shavings Buckets Show stick

This year’s sales are March 24th at 1pm at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Mound City, KS and March 25th at the fairgrounds in Alma, KS at 3pm. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at (913) 259-0128 or castlefarms11@ gmail.com. We wish you the best of luck with your next pig project.

Water pipe with nipple

Brush Soap

Water hose Spray Nozzle Conditioner Spray bottle

Towels

Show clothes My name is Eric Castle along with my wife April and our daughter Bristol. We own and

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